Looking For A Job

There are several possible ways to look for work. No one way is better than the others, and you must use more than one method if you are serious about finding work. Using a combination of methods will result in getting your name “out there” for employers to begin to notice you.

First of all, be sure that you do not overlook the obvious right under your nose: contact the Office of Career and Internship Services located on the 2nd floor of the George F. Shepard Building at Orange County Community College.

This office has an on-line Job Bank with full and part-time positions in the Orange County area. In addition, this Job Bank can connect you to positions all over the country. Come into the office to register in order to learn to use this service. Local employers also recruit on campus which allows you to ask questions about available positions and fill out applications.

Library Sources: Come to Career Services to gather information about occupations and careers: the demand for jobs, the working conditions, the salary ranges in different geographic areas, and the preparation required to enter the field of your choice. In addition to Internet access is a library of resources related to most occupational areas.

Internet Access: Career Services can provide you with websites to federal, state, county and municipal Civil Service positions. Here you can learn information about government announcements, job titles and descriptions, requirements, and test dates! A pamphlet generated by the staff and updated annually is offered to assist you in this job search.

The Annual Job Fair each spring is a great way to meet employers, to fill out applications, and to make contact with people who can offer future opportunities for your career. It is open to all students, alumni and community members.

Now, secondly, it is time to consider making contact with employers to learn what’s out there! Here are some methods which you can employ right away:

A great way to learn about positions is through your own Network. Everyone has
a network of people: friends, parents, teachers, professors, public assisters, anyone who knows somebody who knows somebody. Someone will supply you with the name of a decision maker or the name of an organization which might be hiring. Keep a list of your contacts and make connection with them regularly to learn of new positions or openings even before they are advertised! It is up to you to make personal contact with these people to learn about the skills needed and the educational requirements for a position. It’s who you know that does make a difference!

Learn to Informational Interview to learn about what an employer is looking for in an employee and when there might be a position open. Be prepared and ready to speak to a receptionist who might be able to pass your call into the decision maker.

What do you say to an employer? That’s easy: What do you want to know?

…if any jobs are open or will be opening in the future…

…the types of positions which usually open…

…The skills needed for such positions…

…the qualities the employer looks for in a new employee…

…may I leave a copy of my resume with you and call you in the future…

Check the Telephone Directory for names of companies you might enjoy working for. Call them up to get the name of the person who does the hiring. Then contact him/her for an informational interview. If you meet this person, leave him/her with a cover letter and a resume. It is always a good idea to visit companies. You might even be asked to fill out an application for a possible opening. This could work to your advantage for a future position!

Read the Classified Ads regularly, especially those in the weekend paper. At the very least, this will show you who is hiring and in what industries the jobs are located. Contact the offices, if you can, and send a cover letter along with your resume to introduce yourself. Follow up with a phone call to determine if the decision maker has received your information.

Visit Employer Websites to contact human resources for any new employment listings. Do so regularly to keep up on the additions of new staff.

Register with the Department of Labor One-Stop offices for further assistance in your job search efforts.

Check out the on-line Job Posting Sites to see what companies are hiringand in which locations. Sites like monsterboard.com, jobbankusa.com, hudsonvalleyhelpwanted.com, recordjobs.com, and snagajob.com will provide you with industry direction.

Professional Organizations can provide contacts within an organization’s industry and pave the way for resume submission to the correct office. Every industry has its own national organization such as the National Education Association (NEA), the American Medical Association (AMA), the Society for Human Resource Managers (SHRM), and the Society of Project Managers (SPM).

Use Social Networking Sites, such as LinkedIn and Facebook as part of your job search strategy. LinkedIn, in particular, is designed to foster professional connections. It allows you to create a profile describing your professional background, build an invaluable network of like-minded people, and establish a strong reputation with the help of references from past and current colleagues, employers and business partners. Visit http://grads.linkedin.com† for instructions setting up your LinkedIn profile.

Please be aware that recruiters increasingly scout social network sites for future employees. You want to make sure that your social network profiles are a testament to your character and do not compromise your reputation or impede your employment prospects.

† Clicking on this link will take you out of the SUNY Orange Web site. The college cannot be responsible for the content on these pages, although the link on this page has been reviewed and is recommended by the members of our department.